ZeniMax to lay off 164 employees in Rockville

ZeniMax Media, located at 1370 Piccard Drive in Rockville, has announced it will lay off 164 employees on September 1, 2025. The parent company of Bethesda Softworks and Bethesda Game Studios is being hit hard by Microsoft's workforce reduction plans, which is impacting Microsoft's game development operations more than many expected. Among the "fallout" of the ZeniMax downsizing are the layoffs of an additional 30 employees at one of its contractors, TCWGlobal, also based in Rockville. Another loss is a massively-multiplayer-online (MMO) game that was under development at ZeniMax, code-named "Blackbird," that emerged from secrecy as a result of the layoffs.

Metro Pike Center to get facelift in Rockville

Saul Centers is preparing to give a facelift to the Metro Pike Center at 11520 Rockville Pike in White Flint. The shopping center will receive a facade update in the coming months. Let's hope it is more retro than the replacement signage that was installed at the front of the property in the late 2010s. Lost were the totally 80s "Metro Pike Center" logo and background grid (see photo below), replaced by the most abominably-generic font and signage Max Headroom or Buckaroo Banzai could imagine in their nightmares (see photo at top). According to LoopNet, Metro Pike Center was constructed in 1990. White Flint is synonymous with the 80s, and that character should be retained to maintain the "sense of place" that Montgomery County planners give so much lip service to.

Vine Alley, Brews & Barrels spaces marketed for lease at Kentlands Market Square

Kimco Realty is marketing the spaces currently occupied by Vine Alley and Brews & Barrels at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg as "available" for lease. Both spaces have a notation that parties interested in leasing either storefront "do not disturb" the current tenants, who are still open for business. In addition, both businesses have been removed from the tenant roster in Kimco leasing materials for the property. Brews & Barrels opened at 625 Center Point Way in 2020, and Vine Alley opened two years later at 114 Market Street.

Aggravated assault with firearm at restaurant in Derwood

Montgomery County police responded to a report of disorderly conduct at a restaurant in Derwood on July 4, 2025. The report came from a restaurant in the 15800 block of Frederick Road at 8:07 PM Friday. One or more suspects were accused of aggravated assault with a firearm, and of 2nd-degree assault, in the incident. There are a McDonald's and a Wendy's on that block of Frederick Road.

Rockville hotel restaurant space available for lease

The ground floor restaurant space at the venerable Best Western hotel at 1251 W. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville is now available for lease. At 5,500-square-feet in size, the space is suitable for restaurant or retail use. The monthly rent amount is available upon request, according to the online listing. As part of the hotel building, the restaurant space delivers a "captive audience" on-site, hotel guests in search of convenient breakfast, lunch, and dinner options you can provide. Not to mention room service!

Police called after assault at Rockville restaurant

Rockville City police were called to a restaurant after someone was assaulted there on Wednesday morning, July 2, 2025. The assault was reported at a restaurant in the 14900 block of Shady Grove Road at 9:16 AM Wednesday. An emergency petition for an involuntary mental health evaluation was filed in relation to the incident.

Hollister to return to Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

John Hollister, Jr. lives! Nearly a decade after Hollister closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. the California surfer-inspired apparel retailer is planning a triumphant return this fall. Word is that Hollister will move into one of the spaces just vacated by Foot Locker or Merlo Point. Part of the Abercrombie & Fitch empire, Hollister is one of those tenants every self-respecting American mall simply must have, like Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, and - come to think of it - Abercrombie & Fitch. If not, is it really a mall?

Photo courtesy Hollister